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Tangy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing

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A refreshing pasta salad combining tangy dill pickles with a creamy mayo and sour cream dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small shells (cooked al dente)
  • 1 cup finely chopped dill pickles (preferably crunchy, jarred style)
  • 3 tablespoons pickle juice
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill weed)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped celery

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 3 tablespoons pickle juice until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper). Mix well to combine.
  3. Finely chop 1 cup dill pickles, 1/4 cup red onion, and 2 tablespoons fresh dill. Prepare optional celery or cheddar cheese if using.
  4. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped pickles, red onion, dill, and optional ingredients. Pour the creamy dressing over the top and gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid mashing the pasta or breaking up the pickles.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors marry. Stir well before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinsing pasta after cooking removes excess starch and prevents the salad from becoming gummy. Chill the salad for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken. Use crunchy dill pickles for best texture. For dairy-free, swap mayo and sour cream with vegan mayo and coconut yogurt. Fold gently to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, dill pickle, creamy dressing, picnic salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, summer salad

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/tangy-dill-pickle-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-dressing-guide/